Subject: Field trial to demonstrate the effect of the addition of VemoHerb Tribens (reproductivity enhancer) over the artificial insemination of ducks’ parent flock.
Aim of the experiment: The experiment was conducted on drakes (male ducks) (assessing single ejaculate semen volume, sperm motility) and female laying ducks (assessing laying capacity, egg weight).
• The parent flock is approaching the end of their egg-laying period – 40 days before the end.
• Experimental group: male – 86 drakes, female – 860 ducks
• Control group: male – 192 drakes, female – 1720 ducks
• Daily dose of VemoHerb Tribens: 15 mg/kg live weight
• Start of the experiment: 10.02.2013
• Duration of the VemoHerb Tribens: one month (till 10.03.2013)
• End of the experiment: 26.04.2013
Results:
Females:
Date | Experimental group | Control group | Difference | |||
| laying capacity | egg weight | laying capacity | egg weight | laying capacity | egg weight | |
| % | g | % | g | % | g | |
| 1.3.2013 | 68 | 86,1 | 68 | 86,2 | – | -0,1 |
| 10.3.2013 | 66,5 | 86,4 | 66 | 86,3 | +0,76 | +0,1 |
| 20.3.2013 | 64,4 | 86,5 | 63 | 86,3 | +2,22 | +0,2 |
Males:
Date | Experimental group | Control group | Difference | |||
| volume | motility | volume | motility | volume | motility | |
| cm | % | cm | % | cm | % | |
| 1.3.2013 | 1,08 | 105 | 1,04 | 100 | +3,8 | +5 |
| 10.3.2013 | 1,1 | 110 | 1,03 | 100 | +6,8 | +10 |
| 20.3.2013 | 1,12 | 115 | 1,01 | 100 | +10,8 | +15 |
Conclusions:
1. Drakes respond positively to VemoHerb Tribens and despite their age, there is a significant increase in the semen volume for ejaculation and its mobility.
2. Female laying ducks respond positively, even though there is a slight difference in the laying capacity and egg weight.
3. There were two hatching of the observed eggs and the result varied: The first hatching: – 0.8% for the control group and the second: + 2.8%, but there are many side factors involved and the two experiments were not enough for a firm conclusion.
4. Considering that the ducks are at the end of their egg-laying period, i.e. the most difficult time to influence their condition, the product certainly has a positive effect on them.
Recommendations:
The nutritional feed supplement VemoHerb Tribens is suitable for stimulating drakes used for artificial insemination. There is a positive effect on the female laying ducks, but for more reliable data it is appropriate to experiment with ducks at an earlier stage of laying and with a higher number of hatchlings.
